Overview: This guide provides best practices for adjusting partial dentures based on specific material types, including metal, acrylic, and flexible materials.
Prerequisites
Before beginning adjustments, ensure the following tools are available:
Carbide burs (recommended for all material types)
Partial denture adjustment set
Dental pliers
Carbon articulation paper
Rubber wheel for polishing
Adjusting metal and acrylic components
Use these instructions to modify clasps, palates, or flanges on metal and acrylic partial dentures.
Clasp adjustments
Identify the terminal third of the clasp (the last 1/3 of the clasp).
Use dental pliers to grip the clasp at the terminal third.
Bend the clasp outward if the partial denture requires more relief.
Gently bend the clasp inward to increase retention of the partial denture.
Palate, intaglio, and flange adjustments
Operate the carbide bur at high speed with the water setting turned on.
Apply low pressure to the partial denture material.
Use the carbide bur to provide relief on guide planes and the intaglio surface.
Trim down the denture flange as needed to improve patient comfort.
Adjusting flexible partial dentures
Flexible partial dentures require thermal treatment for specific clasp modifications.
Soak the flexible partial denture in hot water for 2–3 minutes.
Remove the flexible partial denture once the material has reached a heated, flexible state.
Hold the flexible clasps in the ideal position for 1–2 minutes while the material cools.
Use a carbide bur with low pressure to adjust any remaining tight areas on the flexible material.
Adjusting partial denture teeth
Use these methods to correct the occlusion or aesthetics of the denture teeth.
Occlusal adjustments
Place carbon articulation paper in the patient's mouth to identify pontic teeth hitting high.
Set the carbide bur to high speed with water and apply low pressure.
Shave down the identified high spots on the teeth to the proper length.
Facial and polishing adjustments
Use a carbide bur for primary adjustments to the tooth surface.
Apply a rubber wheel for final facial adjustments.
Use the rubber wheel to polish the denture teeth for a smooth finish